(Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition) A Christian’s Ambition: Not Material Security but God’s Rule – Matt. 6:19-34 Ambition defined: “noun 1. a strong desire to gain a particular objective; specif., the drive to succeed, or to gain fame, power, wealth, etc. 2. the objective strongly desired” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition) The story of D.D. He had such a deep and intense ambition nothing was going to stop him from graduating. His ambition was to graduate and to prove the naysayers wrong. Ambition is often accompanied by determination, hard work, and sacrifice.

A Christian’s ambition is to know and obey God’s rule (laws) God’s rule offers the best from this life Col. 1:15-17 – Holds all things together 1 Peter 3:10-12 – See good day; Eyes and ears of the Lord Family, business, citizenship, and neighbors Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (16) For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. (17) And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 1 Peter 3:10-12 For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; (11) let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. (12) For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.“

A Christian’s ambition is to know and obey God’s rule (laws) God’s rule offers the best from this life Col. 1:13-14 Delivered and transferred Redemption and forgiveness Phil. 4:6-7 – Peace surpassing all understanding 2 Thess. 2:16-17 – Comfort and hope Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (16) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, (17) comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

A Christian’s ambition is to know and obey God’s rule (laws) God’s rule offers the best from this life Col. 1:11-12 – Joy and thanksgiving Rom. 8:35-39 – Nothing separates us from God’s love Colossians 1:11-12 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, (12) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (36) As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A Christian’s ambition is to know and obey God’s rule (laws) Leads to treasures in heaven Matt. 6:20-21 – Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven Matt. 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness Matthew 6:20-21 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

A Christian’s ambition is to know and obey God’s rule (laws) Cannot fully appreciate heaven in this life 2 Cor. 12:2-4 – Things that cannot be told Phil. 3:20-21 – Be like His glorious body 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. (3) And I know that this man was caught up into paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- (4) and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

A Christian’s ambition is to know and obey God’s rule (laws) Cannot fully appreciate heaven in this life 2 Cor. 12:2-4 – Things that cannot be told Phil. 3:20-21 – Be like His glorious body 1 Cor. 15:51-53 – Imperishable and immortal body 1 Cor. 15:54-57 – The ultimate victory 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (53) For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." (55) "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Christian’s ambition is to know and obey God’s rule (laws) Cannot fully appreciate heaven in this life Rev. 21:3-4 – The dwelling place of God 1 Cor. 15:58 – Your labor is not in vain Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (4) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.“ 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.